Is Santee a good area???? (San Diego, Claremont: apartments, for rent, low crime)

[c-note]

Hi!!! I'm looking to move to the San Diego area. My new job in on Daggett St. It's about 15 miles north of the airport and about 15 east of La Jolla. I heard General Dynamics use to be there.

Anyways, I'm looking for a place to stay. I heard Santee is a good area. Not too expensive and the commute is not bad. Does anyone have any suggestion?

I'm 32 years old and single. I'm looking to spend about $1,000 a month in rent. Thanks.

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by c-note

Hi!!! I'm looking to move to the San Diego area. My new job in on Daggett St. It's about 15 miles north of the airport and about 15 east of La Jolla. I heard General Dynamics use to be there.

Anyways, I'm looking for a place to stay. I heard Santee is a good area. Not too expensive and the commute is not bad. Does anyone have any suggestion?

I'm 32 years old and single. I'm looking to spend about $1,000 a month in rent. Thanks.

Santee is a fine area, reasonably safe and quiet, albeit very hot and very dull. Good for families, but very little in terms of nightlife or amenities. Traffic is bad in Santee because there is only one way in and out - the 52 fwy. I wouldn't recommend it to a newcomer to San Diego.

The old General Dynamics facility is off Balboa and Convoy in Serra Mesa, the neighborhood immediately around that facility is actually pretty decent. Also check out the northern end of Clairemont Mesa, Bay Park, and Mission Valley, even most of SD city is very nearby. More single people, more amentities like shopping and restaurants.

For 1K you will be looking at a modest studio or 1BR apartment most likely.

[AnotherBravesFan]

Sassberto gives good advice. I ventured out to Santee on a Saturday afternoon a few months ago, and ugh, the traffic was horrid! Also try Tierrasanta or Mission Valley. Tierrasanta more upscale and family-oriented but oh so convenient to Kearny Mesa (where I think Daggett St. is). There are a few apt. complexes there; zip is 92124. I lived there when I was in my late 20s and single; low crime area. I would also avoid Mira Mesa if possible; similar or worse traffic woes (seems bad every time I'm there), plus noise from Miramar air station. Hope that helps.

[starkt]

Tierrasanta would be good, but only if you want to drive all the time. If you want to be closer to the action downtown, and live in a walkable neighborhood, try Kensington, which is just a couple of freeway exits south of Tierrasanta. It's an upscale area of Spanish style homes, but it's near the ghetto so don't be too complacent about crime.

[gpraceman]

After living in Santee for for 13 years, I'd recommend the area. Crime was low and our neighborhood was quite. It is also more affordable than other areas closer in. Personally, I like the North West side of town.

It is true, that traffic on 52 can be a bear, but it is not as bad as I-5 or some other stretches of highway. Once you get past where it chokes down from 3 lanes to 2 lanes, it picks up speed. I commuted from close to Santee Lakes to Rancho Bernardo every day and it took about 45 mins.

Summers can get quite hot, as with the rest of east county. Not uncommon to go over 100 in the summer. A/C is a must.

With that all said, I am glad to be out of California. The San Diego area is nice, but way too expensive. I also don't miss the heat, rolling blackouts, cost of gas, nor the lousy schools.

[WestVirginiaRebel]

If you can afford it, try Tierrasanta. I lived there in the 1980s and loved it, nice homes, low crime, although I understand traffic is really bad now. It's still conveniently located with regard to downtown, Fashion and Mission Valley, etc.

[socketz]

Santee is a fine area if you have a family, but you'll be bored out of your mind out there being single.

If I were you I'd go near the coast or downtown (mission hills, Old Town, Little Italy) and rent a room out from someone. Nice apartments for under 1k near the beach may be a stretch, but you could find a nice room for rent in that price range.

Fashion Valley is another place you can try. A 1Bdr/Studio could be had there for right around 1,000.

[jendo]

What would be the commute time if I were driving from the 52 in Santee (taking Mast Boulevard onramp) to 805 (taking La Jolla Village Drive offramp); leaving at 7:00 am?

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by jendo

What would be the commute time if I were driving from the 52 in Santee (taking Mast Boulevard onramp) to 805 (taking La Jolla Village Drive offramp); leaving at 7:00 am?

I would plan on about 30 minutes, 45 in the afternoon when traffic is really heavy

[socketz]

For a single guy working in Claremont, Mission Valley is a nice spot.

nix Santee. not bad for families (bad schools) but you'd lose your mind there.

Although, when I was single, I actually scored alot going to the country bars out there. While my friends were frustrated trying to meet women in PB, I was in Santee cuting the rug with 30 something divorcees. Nonetheless, things are probably different now that the 52 runs through there and it is a sprawling burb out there. Note that the 8 east also goes to Santee, but the traffic is ugly on it as well.